Our political loyalties creating enmity between us

+,&+(9(5 way one might look at it, the relentlessly widening, political fissures between the ruling regime - including its proponents - and those opposed to its political ideologies will take a long time to be narrowed down to, at the very least, tolerant levels - if ever.

$re we doing enough as citi]ens of the country, irrespective of our political differences, and affiliation - including those among us who are privileged to be bestowed with the power, and mandate of leading the nation - to fix the problems that have divided us so atrociously, and horrendously, causing us to be sworn enemies of each other?

$s much as we are human, created differently, with diverse human characters, possessing divergent and nonidentical likes and dislikes inclusive of having contrasting, political loyalties, it is no secret that there is this indisputable common thread running between us as a people of one, small, puny nation.

This priceless thread is that we are all members of one ethnic group namely, emaSwati. The above thread is invaluable, and deserves our utmost treasuring and defending.

If truth be told, logic dictates that we should - individually, as well as collectively - be fiercely protective of this common thread running between, and through us all. It is imperative for each one of us that we defend our ethnicity with all our might. Tolerance is key.

There should be no room whatsoever for the evident, frightening, internal infighting that we constantly witness. The war of words, use of derogatory terms at times hurled at our governing authorities on social media platforms, and among proponents of change, are too ghastly to contemplate.

1one among us is more Swati than the other. We are members of one family, and the onus not only lies in our leaders to unite us, but in us as well as citi]ens of the country to be tolerant of divergent differing views and opinions.

VIOLENT TENDENCIES

&onsider, for instance, the oftentimes, unwarranted, violent tendencies that are often directed at some citi]ens of the country by the country’s security forces, which are largely triggered by progressives’ political loyalties. 'issenting voices are often despised, and ridiculed even by some of our leaders, raising Tuestions like, aren’t they emaSwati, too?

The escalating enmity between opposing voices which we constantly witness are killing the spirit of homogeneity.

It is of paramount importance that in our Tuest to defend our political ideologies, we do not employ unethical means, especially violent ones in order to deter those we do not see eye to eye with from pursuing peaceful obMectives. Peaceful means of solving any conflict are a crucial catalyst to living in peace, and harmony.

&an we honestly and candidly profess to be subscribing to the above? $re we true patriots of the country - a people who promote the common good, public interest beneficial to all or most citi]ens in our communities?

In light of the massive and deteriorating political differences tearing our country apart, where are the true patriots, both in leadership positions and among the rank and file, who are prepared to save this country from annihilating itself, completely wiping out any moral fibre which used to bind, and bond us together as a nation - be it political, or otherwise?

$s I see it, we are all - without any exception - failing dismally in this respect.

Some of the immoral practices that are contributing to destroying this country are related to what is known as the ‘Machiavellian principles of rule for those in leadership positions’. Such controversial principles, some of which are defined below, are not only confined to our country, but globally as well.

&onsider what is happening politically and socioeconomically in our neighbouring countries, especially in South $frica. Last Monday, the Economic Freedom Fighters political party (EFF) were expected to take to the streets for their national shutdown, protesting the energy crisis and demanding that President 5amaphosa step down. Poor governance, corruption, etcetera, are some of the vices that are tearing that country apart. Isn’t that what is also destroying our own, beautiful country?

1iccolz Machiavelli ( ² ) who was a century Florentine

th

philosopher, known primarily for his political ideas, recommended the following character, and behaviour for princes (people in leadership positions)

It is better to be stingy than generous.

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It is better to be cruel than merciful.

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It is better to break promises if

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keeping them would be against one’s interests.

For instance, according to :LNLSH GLD RUJ, Machiavelli viewed, ‘misery’ as one of the vices that enables people in leadership positions to rule. Machiavelli stated that ³it would be best to be both loved and feared. %ut since the two rarely come together, anyone compelled to choose will find greater security in being feared than in being loved.´

It is said that in much of Machiavelli’s work, he often states that a leader must adopt ‘unsavory policies for the sake of the continuance of his or her regime’. Such adherence by national leaders to some of Machiavelli’s controversial principles of leadership have wreaked untold misery, divided citi]ens of many nations, triggered social, political unrests and civil strife.

2ne of the chief contributory factors, as I see it, that is responsible for the deeply worrying political as well as social divide in the country is that the power bestowed on some of those in leadership positions - irrespective of whether it is in the political arena, in the workplace even in religious circles, as well as in the family structure, - is erroneously being regarded by some as a ticket to licentious behaviour, which includes the abuse of authority, giving some the licence to violate principles of good, and moral leadership.

Principles of good leadership should demonstrate superior virtues, self-discipline, unselfishness integrity, concern for others, Mustice, trustworthiness, etcetera.

It is of vital importance that our leaders in this country handle with maturity, for instance, the simmering cauldron of resentment between those who yearn for change, and others who are intent on maintaining the current, status Tuo.

It cannot be denied that it is the duty of any government to maintain law and order firmly and fairly, free from any repressive means. In the country, we have gone through a horrific, violent phase, manifesting itself in a spate of violence, which was perpetrated by both sides of the political divide. It is the duty of government to use constitutional means to maintain law and order - not what we often witness.

CONDEMNED

1umerous lives were lost in the recent past, and the means employed by the country’s security forces in maintaining law and order were widely condemned by many people. Law enforcement agencies had been, and are still being accused of largely being loyal to the ruling system of government, employing excessive use of force to Tuell protests, in the process grossly violating the constitutional rights of the people.

$s much as it is near impossible that as a leader, one cannot satisfy everybody under his or her authority or supervision, but, it is vital that leaders worth their salt govern fairly, practice true Mustice and do not enforce loyalty, or respect.

Employment of the use of force, harassment and intimidatory tactics to whip into submission citi]ens of any country had often led to untold misery and conflict, which had more often than not, resulted in deadly conflict.

Many a time, leaders globally had often practiced the immoral ‘divide, and rule’ governance principle, rewarding those subservient to their systems of governance, thus isolating those with differing opinions, triggering resentment against the system of governance.

It is important that leaders practice fairness on everyone under their authority, irrespective of their political affiliations, or loyalties. Giving an ear to the divergent views of those under their command is vital for peace.

That said, how can we, as I see it, restore the seemingly elusive peace in this country?

Firstly, since the damage has already been done, it is important that we investigate the core, root causes of our problems. This can only be achieved through dialogue.

$lmost everyone had been calling for, and advocating for the concept of dialogue as a means of solving our problems. We all know our government’s repeated stance on the dialogue issue. 1ow that government seems to have the violence ‘under control’, isn’t it about time that this most important process be given a chance?

We urgently need to discard self-defeating stances or arrogant feelings of invincibility and superiority now that the violence is ‘under control’. It is only through the process of dialoguing where the opposing sides could be able to work towards a truce, table their grievances discuss about silencing of the guns give an ear to the concerns of the other side, find solutions and, hopefully, reach an amicable compromise.

+olding a gun to the heads of those who are calling for change, labelling that a peaceful resolution to our political problems is a mere fallacy. We can only be comfortable through dialoguing with those we do not see eye to eye with, reassured that at least, something is being done to restore peace, if only we could seat around the negotiation table. Guns do not talk. They do not negotiate. The only language they understand is spewing death.

POTENTIAL

+aving the violent, political situation ‘under control’ does not necessarily mean that peace has been restored. It is no secret how government has managed to bring the situation under control.

2nly those who are living in a fantasy world can swear over their mother’s graves that peace has been completely restored in the country.

It has not. There’s a vast difference between silence, and peace.

The honest, unadulterated truth is simply that people are living in fear - not in fear of any outside invading forces, but in fear of our own government. We all know why.

In her book ‘State and 2pposition in Military %ra]il’, Maria +elena Moreira $lves found a ‘culture of fear’ was implemented as part of political repression since . She used the term to describe methods implemented by the national security apparatus of %ra]il in its effort to eTuate political participation with risk of arrest and torture.

This enhanced the potential for political control through intensifying the culture of fear as a deterrent to opposition.

$lves found the changes of the 1ational Security Law of , as beginning the use of ‘economic exploitation, physical repression, political control, and strict censorship’ to establish a ‘culture of fear’ in %ra]il. The three psychological components of the culture of fear included silence through censorship, sense of isolation, and a ‘generalised belief that all channels of opposition were closed’. $ ‘feeling of complete hopelessness’ prevailed, in addition to ‘withdrawal from opposition activity’.

&ould this be the case with our country? I leave that up to the reader to decide.

Secondly, as I see it, it is important that we are tolerant of each others, differing, political opinions. 2ur problems chiefly lie on the fact that we are fiercely intolerant of opposing views.

There is this divisive viewpoint emanating from some Tuarters that those calling for change, good, moral and democratic governance are ‘terrorists’. We cannot deny the fact that in the recent past, violent means had been the modus operandi of faceless people who resorted to violent means to enforce change. $ll forms of violence must be condemned - period.

It is also no secret that not all freedom activists are what some choose to call ‘terrorists’. If I may ask, was the late, assassinated, internationally acclaimed, attorney Thulani 5udolph Maseko - may his soul rest in peace - a terrorist? For Pete’s sake The deceased was always at pains, preaching about nonviolence, constantly advocating for a peaceful resolution to our political differences. Sadly, he lost his precious life in spite of such a noble approach to conflict resolution. +e was murdered for what many of us had been calling for - peaceful resolution to our political problems. The country is now - post--une

- divided into two camps Pro-democracy, and anti democracy proponents. We have become intolerant of each others’ rights to freedom of expression, assembly, association, and numerous other &onstitutional rights. The rule of fear is causing us sleepless nights. &ome to think of it, there is also an apparent division between progressives calling for change

SUFFERS

Who suffers the most in the midst of all this mayhem? Peace suffers.

The country is simply a simmering cauldron of tension. There is an engulfing atmosphere of anger over numerous issues. People are frustrated. There is a perplexing rise in mob Mustice, gender-based violence is escalating frighteningly. &rime manifesting itself in robberies, and car hiMackings is on the rise.

&onsider the crippling strikes by tertiary institution students, and their lecturers over administrative issues. I have lost count of how many times our universities had often closed intermittently over the years. $ former, prestigious institution has now been reduced to a gutter and, poorly run institution because of many issues that are not too difficult to resolve. 2ne Must wonders if the education of our tertiary students is being deliberately sabotaged in order to produce perpetual beggars to the status Tuo.

2nce again, where are all the true patriots of the country hiding? &an we all, please, stand up, be counted, and save this country from imminent destruction? Most importantly, are we oblivious of the seeds of hatred that we are persistently planting in our future generations?

May the Living God give us a spirit of discernment where we will all strive to work towards ushering in peace, and harmony, discard violent tendencies stop the intolerance for opposing views, do away with arrogant attitudes where we will all work towards restoring Eswatini to its former, peaceful, and tolerant Swa]iland.

Peace Shalom!